Data recording method and apparatus data record medium and data reproducing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A data recording method is provided in which video data and plural channels of language data are divided into packets as units, and the video data and the plural channels of language data are recorded on a record medium along with the control information containing a flag designating a reproducing channel of the language data matched to a reproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomes possible to record video data and plural channels of language data on a record medium so that a reproducing channel for the language data matched to the reproducing pattern of the video data will be selected and the plural channels of language data matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data will be reproduced by a reproducing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a data recording method and apparatus, a datarecord (recording/recordable/recorded) medium and a data reproducingmethod and apparatus employed with advantage for compressing andtime-divisionally multiplexing digital moving picture data and digitalspeech data and for recording/reproducing the data on or from, forexample, an optical disc.

2. Description of the Related Art

In video works, such as motion pictures, there are occasions whereinplural works having basically the same contents and slightly differentin details, that is different in version, under variable circumstances.For example, a so-called directors cut edition, later edited by adirector, may exist in addition to the first edition shown in a theater.Specifically, although part of the photographed scenes are cut ormodified in the first edition from reasons related to management orunder political or cultural backgrounds, these cut or modified scenesmay be revived in re-editing for taking changes in the backgrounds orthe author's intentions into account. These are identified as director'scut editions, complete editions, special editions and so forth. Three ormore different versions may be occasionally derived from one and thesame work.

In addition to the versions for showing in a theater, an original workmay be edited for matching to the broadcasting time for e.g., televisionbroadcasting or matching to a recording/reproducing apparatus ofrelatively short play time for household entertainment.

In addition, motion pictures or video works shown for indefiniteaudience are designated for being shown only for adults (rating). Therating is voluntarily applied by the maker to a motion picture forprohibiting the nonage from viewing it if the motion picture includesinappropriate expressions for nonage. Similarly, a rated video disc, forexample, is prohibited from being sold or assigned to the nonage.

The rating in US is not provided by law but is a voluntary processfollowed by the maker inclusive of the distributer and seller. Accordingto a literature "THE MOVIE BUSINESS BOOK", pp.396 to 406, "THE VOLUNTARYMOVIE RATING SYSTEM", the motion picture is classed into fivecategories, namely G (General Audiences; All Ages Admitted), PG(Parental Guidance Suggested); some material may not be suitable forchildren); PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned, Some material may beinappropriate for children under 13; R (Restricted, under 17 requiresaccompanying parent or adult guardian); and NC-17 (No Children under 17admitted).

Therefore, under these designations, admittance to a theater or the saleof video tapes or the like is restricted. Heretofore, a sole ratinglevel is set for a given motion picture and referred to in a theater ora video shop for taking the age of the admitted or purchasing personsinto account. In contrast to these voluntary process, there is also anidea of compulsorily prohibiting a rated video disc from being viewed bythe nonage on the side of a reproducing apparatus. In this case, a flagfor discriminating the possible rating is written on a video disc fordetection by the reproducing apparatus for prohibiting reproduction.This function is termed a rating system, referred to hereinafter simplyas rating.

In an European digital broadcasting system, there is a description"Parental Rating" in the definition of the service information. Thisbroadcasting system provides a method for describing the age based onwhich the rating is allowed to come into operation by a receivingapparatus. In the above-mentioned rating system, if only a certain scenein a program is objectionable, an identification code is recorded at aposition directly before the program starting. If the reproducingapparatus is in a rating mode, this identification code is read and theprogram is discontinued without being reproduced. In this case, theprogram in its entirety cannot be viewed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a datarecording method and apparatus, a data record medium and a datareproducing method and apparatus for coping with plural versions orrating modes in such a manner that the reproducing system selects areproducing channel of speech data matched to the reproducing pattern ofvideo data for reproducing the speech data and video data matched to thereproducing pattern.

A data recording method according to the present invention divides videodata and plural channels of language data into packets as units, andrecords the video data and the plural channels of language data on arecord medium along with the control information containing a flagdesignating a reproducing channel of the language data matched to areproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomes possible torecord video data and plural channels of language data on a recordmedium so that a reproducing channel for the language data matched tothe reproducing pattern of the video data will be selected and theplural channels of language data matched to the reproducing pattern andthe video data will be reproduced by a reproducing system.

With the data recording method according to the present invention, thevideo data and the plural channels of language data are multiplexed andrecorded on a record medium along with the control informationcontaining a flag designating a reproducing channel of the language datamatched to a reproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomespossible to record video data and plural channels of language data on arecord medium so that a reproducing channel for the language datamatched to the reproducing pattern of the video data will be selectedand the plural channels of language data matched to the reproducingpattern and the video data will be reproduced by a reproducing system.

With the data recording method according to the present invention, thevideo data and the plural channels of the language data are multiplexedand recorded on a record medium, and the control information containinga flag designating the reproducing channel of the language data matchedto the reproducing pattern of video data is recorded in a pre-set areaon the record medium. Thus it becomes possible to record video data andplural channels of language data on a record medium so that areproducing channel for the language data matched to the reproducingpattern of the video data will be selected and the plural channels oflanguage data matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data willbe reproduced by a reproducing system.

With the data recording method according to the present invention,speech data, for example, is recorded as the language data on the recordmedium. Thus it becomes possible to record video data and pluralchannels of speech data on a record medium so that a reproducing channelfor the speech data matched to the reproducing pattern of the video datawill be selected and the plural channels of speech data matched to thereproducing pattern and the video data will be reproduced by areproducing system.

With the data recording method according to the present invention,speech data and/or title data, for example, is recorded as the languagedata on the record medium. Thus it becomes possible to record video dataand plural channels of speech data and/or title data on a record mediumso that a reproducing channel for the speech data and/or title datamatched to the reproducing pattern of the video data will be selectedand the plural channels of speech data and/or title data matched to thereproducing pattern and the video data will be reproduced by areproducing system.

Thus, with the data recording method according to the present invention,video data and plural channels speech data and/or plural channels oftitle data are divided into packets as units and recorded on a recordmedium in a multiplexed or separate form along with the controlinformation containing a flag designating a reproducing channel for thespeech data and the title data matched to the reproducing pattern of thevideo data. Thus it becomes possible to record video data and pluralchannels of speech data and plural channels of title data on a recordmedium so that a reproducing channel for the speech and title datamatched to the reproducing pattern of the video data will be selectedand the speech and title data matched to the reproducing pattern and thevideo data will be reproduced by a reproducing system.

With a data recording apparatus according to the present invention,packet dividing means divides video data and plural channels of languagedata into packets as units, and control information generating meansgenerates the control information containing a flag designating areproducing channel of language data matched to a reproducing pattern ofthe video data, while recording means records the video data and theplural channels of language data along with the control informationgenerated by the control information generating means on a recordmedium. Thus it becomes possible to record video data and pluralchannels of language data on a record medium so that a reproducingchannel for the language data matched to the reproducing pattern of thevideo data will be selected and the plural channels of language datamatched to the reproducing pattern and the video data will be reproducedby a reproducing system.

With the data recording apparatus according to the present invention,the video data and the plural channels of language data are multiplexedand recorded on a record medium along with the control informationcontaining a flag designating a reproducing channel of the language datamatched to a reproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomespossible to record video data and plural channels of speech data on arecord medium so that a reproducing channel for the speech data matchedto the reproducing pattern of the video data will be selected and theplural channels of language data matched to the reproducing pattern andthe video data will be reproduced by a reproducing system.

With the data recording apparatus according to the present invention,the video data and the plural channels of the language data aremultiplexed and recorded on a record medium, and the control informationcontaining a flag designating the reproducing channel of the languagedata matched to the reproducing pattern of video data is recorded in apre-set area on the record medium. Thus it becomes possible to recordvideo data and plural channels of speech data on a record medium so thata reproducing channel for the speech data matched to the reproducingpattern of the video data will be selected and the plural channels oflanguage data matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data willbe reproduced by a reproducing system.

With the data recording apparatus according to the present invention,speech data, for example, is recorded as the language data on the recordmedium. Thus it becomes possible to record video data and pluralchannels of speech data on a record medium so that a reproducing channelfor the speech data matched to the reproducing pattern of the video datawill be selected and the plural channels of language data matched to thereproducing pattern and the video data will be reproduced by areproducing system.

With the data recording apparatus according to the present invention,speech data and/or title data, for example, is recorded as the languagedata on the record medium. Thus it becomes possible to record video dataand plural channels of speech data on a record medium so that areproducing channel for the speech data matched to the reproducingpattern of the video data will be selected and the plural channels ofspeech data matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data willbe reproduced by a reproducing system.

With the data recording apparatus according to the present invention,video data and plural channels speech data and/or plural channels oftitle data are divided into packets as units by packet dividing meansand recorded on a record medium in a multiplexed or separate form byrecording means along with the control information generated by controlinformation generating means and containing a flag designating areproducing channel for the speech data and the title data matched tothe reproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomes possible torecord video data and plural channels of speech data and plural channelsof title data on a record medium so that a reproducing channel for thespeech and title data matched to the reproducing pattern of the videodata will be selected and the speech and title data matched to thereproducing pattern and the video data will be reproduced by areproducing system.

A data record medium according to the present invention has recordedthereon video data and plural channels of language data, divided intopackets as units, and the control information containing a flagdesignating a reproducing channel of the language data matched to areproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomes possible for thereproducing system to select the reproducing channel of language datamatched to a reproducing pattern of the video data and to reproduce thelanguage data matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data record medium according to the present invention, videodata and plural channels of language data are multiplexed and recordedthereon along with the control information containing a flag designatinga reproducing channel of the language data matched to a reproducingpattern of the video data. Thus it becomes possible for the reproducingsystem to select the reproducing channel of language data matched to areproducing pattern of the video data and to reproduce the language datamatched to the reproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data record medium according to the present invention, videodata and plural channels of the language data are multiplexed andrecorded thereon, and the control information containing a flagdesignating the reproducing channel of the language data matched to thereproducing pattern of the video data is recorded in a pre-set areathereof. Thus it becomes possible for the reproducing system to selectthe reproducing channel of language data matched to a reproducingpattern of the video data and to reproduce the language data matched tothe reproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data record medium according to the present invention, speechdata, for example, is recorded as the language data on the recordmedium. Thus it becomes possible for the reproducing system to selectthe reproducing channel of speech data matched to a reproducing patternof the video data and to reproduce the speech data matched to thereproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data record medium according to the present invention, speechdata and/or title data, for example, is recorded as the language data onthe record medium. Thus it becomes possible for the reproducing systemto select the reproducing channel of speech data and/or the title datamatched to a reproducing pattern of the video data and to reproduce thespeech data and/or the title data matched to the reproducing pattern andthe video data.

With the data record medium according to the present invention, videodata and plural channels of speech data and/or plural channels of titledata are divided into packets as units and recorded in a multiplexed orseparate form with the control information containing a flag designatinga reproducing channel for the speech data and/or the title data matchedto the reproducing pattern of the video data. Thus it becomes possiblefor the reproducing system to select the reproducing channel of speechdata and title data matched to a reproducing pattern of the video dataand to reproduce the speech data and/or the title data matched to thereproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data reproducing method according to the present invention, areproducing channel for language data matched to a reproducing patternof video data is selected based on a flag contained in the controlinformation for reproducing the language data matched to the reproducingpattern and the video data.

With the data reproducing method according to the present invention, thecontrol information is reproduced from a record medium having the videodata and the plural channels of language data multiplexed and recordedthereon along with the control information containing a flag designatinga reproducing channel of the language data matched to a reproducingpattern of the video data, and a reproducing channel of language datamatched to a reproducing pattern of the video data is selected based onthe flag contained in the control information for reproducing thelanguage data matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data.Thus it becomes possible to reproduce video data and language datamatched to the reproducing pattern.

With the data reproducing method according to the present invention, thecontrol information is reproduced from a record medium on which thevideo data and the plural channels of the language data are multiplexedand recorded and in a pre-set area of which the control informationcontaining a flag designating the reproducing channel of the languagedata matched to the reproducing pattern of video data is recorded, and areproducing channel of language data matched to a reproducing pattern ofthe video data is selected based on the flag contained in the controlinformation. Thus it becomes possible to reproduce the language datamatched to the reproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data reproducing method according to the present invention,speech data, for example, is reproduced as the language data from thedata record medium for reproducing the speech data matched to thereproducing pattern of video data along with the video data.

With the data reproducing method according to the present invention,speech data and/or title data, for example, is reproduced as thelanguage data from the data record medium for reproducing the speechdata and/or the title data matched to the reproducing pattern of videodata along with the video data.

With an apparatus for reproducing video data and plural channels oflanguage data from a record medium having recorded thereon the videodata divided into packets as units and plural channels of language dataalso divided into packets as units, and also having recorded thereon thecontrol information containing a flag designating a reproducing channelof the language data matched to a reproducing pattern of the video data,flag detection means is provided for detecting a flag contained in thecontrol information, and reproducing processing means is provided forselecting a reproducing channel of language data matched to areproducing pattern of the video data based on a detection output of theflag detection means. Thus it becomes possible to reproduce the languagedata matched to the reproducing pattern and the video data.

With the data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention,flag detection means detects a flag contained in the control informationreproduced from a data record medium having the video data and theplural channels of language data multiplexed and recorded thereon alongwith the control information containing a flag designating a reproducingchannel of the language data matched to a reproducing pattern of thevideo data. The reproducing processing means selects a reproducingchannel of language data matched to the reproducing pattern of the videodata for reproducing the language data matched to the reproducingpattern and the video data.

With the data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention,the flag detection means detects a flag contained in the controlinformation reproduced from a data record medium on which the video dataand the plural channels of the language data are multiplexed andrecorded thereon, and in a pre-set area thereon of which the controlinformation containing a flag designating the reproducing channel of thelanguage data matched to the reproducing pattern of video data isrecorded. Based on the detection output, the reproducing processingmeans selects the reproducing channel of language data matched to thereproducing pattern of the video data for reproducing video data and thelanguage data matched to the reproducing pattern of the video data.

With the data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention,the reproducing processing means reproduces speech data matched to thereproducing patter of the video data from the data record medium alongwith the video data.

With the data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention,the reproducing processing means reproduces speech data and/or titledata matched, to the reproducing pattern of the video data from the datarecord medium along with the video data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data encodingapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pack format of a disc format in the data encodingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a format for an entry sector.

FIG. 4 illustrates Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Directory in the entry sector.

FIG. 5 illustrates the contents of Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map in the entrysector.

FIG. 6 illustrates the contents of description of Program Stream₋₋ Map.

FIG. 7 illustrates the contents of dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() describedin the Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map.

FIG. 8 illustrates the contents of dvd₋₋ lpcm₋₋ descriptor() describedin the Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map.

FIG. 9 illustrates the contents of dvd₋₋ subtitle₋₋ descriptor()described in the Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map.

FIG. 10 illustrates the contents of subtitle₋₋ type described in dvd₋₋subtitle₋₋ descriptor().

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data decodingapparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an array f data in a DSM in the data encoding apparatus.

FIG. 13 illustrates a typical structure of TOC data.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the structure of the data encodingapparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a format of an entry sector in the data encodingapparatus.

FIG. 16 illustrates the contents of path₋₋ descriptor() described inglobal₋₋ descriptor 89 in Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map in the entry sector.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of a data decodingapparatus embodying the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will be explained in detail. The data encoding methodaccording to the present invention is implemented by a data encodingapparatus configured as shown for example in FIG. 1.

The data encoding apparatus, shown in FIG. 1, includes a video encoder 1for encoding video signals for compression, and audio encoders 2A, 2Band 2C for packetizing audio signals of, for example, three routes, thatis AU1, AU2 and AU3. The data encoding apparatus also includes amultiplexer 3 connected to the video encoder 1 and to the audio encoders2A to 2C.

In the above encoding apparatus, an output terminal of the video encoder1 is connected to an input terminal of a video entry point detectioncircuit 31 of the multiplexer 3. An output terminal of the video entrypoint detection circuit 31 is connected to an input terminal of a codebuffer 4. An entry sector generating circuit 32 is responsive to acontrol input of a controller 8 and routes its output to an inputterminal E3 of a switching circuit 6. The controller 8 is alsoresponsive to system clocks outputted by a multiplexing system clockgenerating circuit 9 to connect input terminals E1, E2, E3, E4 and E5 ofthe switching circuit 6 sequentially to an output terminal F in apre-set period for sequentially taking out data from the code buffers 4,5A, 5B and 5C or from the entry sector generating circuit 32, for timedivision multiplexing the data and for routing the data to a headerappendage circuit 7.

The controller 8 also controls the header appendage circuit 7 forappending a video packet header to video data read out from the videopacket header and for appending an audio packet header to audio dataread out from the audio packet header.

The controller 8 is responsive to an input of an entry point generatingsignal generated at an I-picture generating timing from the videoencoder 1 or from the video entry point detection 31 and controls theentry sector generating circuit 32 for inserting an entry sector at apre-set position of a bitstream. If the video encoder 1 is configuredfor outputting an entry point generating signal, the video encoder 1outputs an entry point generating signal at a generating timing of theI-picture.

If the video encoder 1 is unable to output an entry point generatingsignal, or a pre-encoded video bitstream is multiplexed, the video entrypoint detection circuit 31 generates an entry point generating signal ata generating timing of an I-picture, or detects an entry point fromvideo data supplied from the video encoder 1 to output an entry pointgenerating signal. An entry point storage unit 33 is a memory capable ofreading and writing data from the controller 8 and stores the positionof the detected entry point.

A MAP information storage device 35 stores the information entered froman external input device, and is controlled by the controller 8 so thatthe information stored therein will be read out each time theinformation constitutes an entry sector and subsequently stored in theentry sector. If the information is such information as uses theposition of a future entry sector, the position of the entry sector isread out from the entry point storage device 33 and supplied to a DSM 10for recording therein.

In the data encoding device shown in FIG. 1, a multiplexed bitstream ismade up of at least one pack and ISO₋₋ 11172₋₋ end code. Each pack isconstituted by a format as shown for example in FIG. 2.

That is, at the leading end of a pack is placed a header Pack Headermade up of Pack₋₋ Start₋₋ Code, SCR and MUX₋₋ Rate, followed by Video₋₋Packet₋₋ Header and video data, not containing an I-picture in a sectorconfiguration, in this order. Next to the video data is arrayed Entry₋₋Packet, followed by Video₋₋ Packet Header and video data containing theI-picture in a sector configuration, in this order. Directly beforevideo data containing the I-picture (entry point), that is directlybefore Video₋₋ Packet₋₋ Header, is arrayed Entry₋₋ Packet. In thepresent embodiment, Audio₋₋ Packet₋₋ Header is arrayed next to videodata and audio data of a sector structure is arrayed next to Audio₋₋Packet Header.

The entry sector Entry₋₋ Packet is of a format shown in FIG. 3. At aleading end of the entry sector shown in FIG. 3 is arrayed Pack Headermade up of Pack₋₋ Start₋₋ code, SCR and MUX₋₋ Rate, followed byProgram₋₋ Stream₋₋ Directory and Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map in this order.In the present embodiment, there is arrayed a packet other than a videopacket, followed by video data inclusive of an I-picture. In the presentembodiment, since the information appears from the leading end of thesector in a pre-set sequence, the information can be handled easily.

The directory Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Directory is of a structure defined bythe MPEG2 system standard and is used for indicating the accessibleposition in a stream. By traversing the loop A shown in FIG. 4 seventimes, the positions of three forward intrapictures, one directlybackward intra-picture and three backward entry points are recorded.

The map program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map is defined as shown for example in FIG.5. In loops B and C in FIG. 5 are placed descriptors () foraccommodating a variety of information data, as shown in FIG. 6. In thepresent embodiment, div₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor () shown in FIG. 7 isdefined as a descriptor () contained in the loop C in Program Stream₋₋Map. Also, dvd₋₋ lpcm₋₋ descriptor() shown in FIG. 8 and dvd subtitle₋₋descriptor() shown in FIG. 9 are defined.

In FIG. 7, dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() is a descriptor used for audiodata compressed by MPEG Audio. The flag path₋₋ number₋₋ flag N is a1-bit flag which is set to 1 or 0 if an audio stream is to be reproducedby a path number N or is not to be reproduced, respectively. On theother hand, channel₋₋ configuration denotes the number of encodedchannels in the audio bitstream.

In FIG. 8, dvd₋₋ lpcm₋₋ descriptor() is a 4-bit code defining an audiomix type in LPCM. The flag path₋₋ number₋₋ flag N is a 1-bit flag whichis set to 1 or 0 if an audio stream is to be reproduced by a path numberN or is not to be reproduced, respectively.

On the other hand, subtitle₋₋ type in dvd₋₋ subtitle descriptor() shownin FIG. 9 is a 4-bit code defining the type of the subtitle stream shownin FIG. 10, while aspect₋₋ ratio information is a 4-bit code definingthe display aspect of the subtitle stream. The flag path₋₋ number₋₋ flagN is a 1-bit flag which is set to 1 or 0 if an audio stream is to bereproduced by a pass number N or is not to be reproduced, respectively.

The data array on the DSM 10 is configured as shown in FIG. 11. That is,the information comprised of a collection of multiplexed streams termedtable-of-contents (TOC) and multiplexed streams are sequentiallyrecorded beginning from the inner rim side of the disc.

The TOC data is recorded as shown for example in FIG. 13. That is, thenumber of the multiplexed streams in the disc is first recorded. Theloop is traversed in a number of times corresponding to the number ofmultiplexed streams for recording the information of each multiplexedstream.

In the loop are first recorded the leading and last sector addresses ofthe multiplexed streams, followed by Program₋₋ Stream Map defined asshown in FIG. 5. This is the same as the map recorded in the stream.That is, dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor(), dvd₋₋ lpcm descriptor() and dvd₋₋subtitle₋₋ descriptor() shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, respectively, aredefined in Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map.

The operation of the data encoding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is nowexplained. The controller 8 receives an entry point generating signalfrom the video encoder 1 or from the video entry point detection circuit31 and causes an entry sector to be inserted directly before the videoentry point. That is, on reception of the entry point generating signal,the controller 8 causes an entry packet to be generated in the entrysector generating circuit 32. The controller 8 then sets a movablecontact of the switching circuit 6 to the input terminal E3 to cause thepacket to be routed to the header appendage circuit 7 for multiplexingwith video data from the code buffers 4, 5A, 5B and 5C and audio data ofthe respective channels.

The respective elementary streams of the above video data and the audiodata of the respective channels are recorded in such a manner that thetypes of the elementary streams are defined by stream₋₋ type inProgram₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map and also in such a manner that a flag specifyinga reproducing channel of audio data matched to the reproducing patternor path of the video data is supplied by dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() ordvd₋₋ lpcm₋₋ descriptor().

It is assumed that three routes of audio signals AU1, AU2 and AU3 areall recorded with compression by DVD audio, the audio signal AU1 is thegeneral speech, while the audio signals AU2 and AU3 are speech foradults and for children, respectively. With the reproducing pattern ofvideo signals for general use, reproduction of the audio signals AU1 andAU3 among the three routes of the audio signal AU1 to AU3 is allowed.With the reproducing pattern or path 1 for adults, reproduction of allof the audio signals AU1 to AU3 is allowed, whereas, with thereproducing pattern or path 2 of video signals for children, onlyreproduction of the audio signals AU3 is allowed.

That is, in dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() in PSM defining attributes ofdata associated with the speech for general use, the flags path₋₋number₋₋ flag 0 and path₋₋ number₋₋ flag 2 are set to 1, while the flagpath₋₋ number flag 1 is set to 0.

On the other hand, in dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM definingattributes of data for adult speech, the flags path number flag are allset to 1.

In dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() in PSM defining attributes of dataassociated with the speech for children, the flag path₋₋ number flag 2is set to 1, while the flags path₋₋ number₋₋ flag 0 and path number₋₋flag 1 is set to 0.

Alternatively, the reproducing channels may be fixed from onereproducing pattern to another, so that reproduction of the audiosignals AU1, AU2 and AU3 will be allowed with reproducing patterns path1, reproducing patterns path 2 and reproducing patterns path 3,respectively.

Stated differently, only the flag path₋₋ number₋₋ flag 0, the flagpath₋₋ number₋₋ flag 1 or the flag path₋₋ number₋₋ flag 2 are set to 1for the general speech, for speech for adults and for speech forchildren, respectively.

For providing the structure shown in FIG. 12, the data encodingapparatus shown in FIG. 1 operates as follows: First, the TOC area isprocured. This procures an area for the DSM 10 in advance for matchingwith the number of the designated multiplexed streams. The encoding asdescribed above is then performed.

Each time the encoding of a multiplexed stream is completed, the dataencoding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 updates the TOC data. That is, dvd₋₋audio₋₋ descriptor(), dvd₋₋ lpcm₋₋ descriptor() and dvd subtitle₋₋descriptor(), which are the same as those described in the entry pointinformation, are recorded as the leading and last sector addresses ofthe encoded multiplexed streams.

In this manner, the reproducing channel of speech data matched to thereproducing pattern of the video data are designated by the flags forencoding.

Referring to FIG. 11, a data decoding apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention is explained. The data decodingapparatus shown in FIG. 11 decodes data reproduced from the DSM 10having recorded thereon data encoded by the data encoding apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

In this data decoding apparatus, a header separation circuit 22 of theseparation device 21 separates a pack header, a sector header and anentry sector from data read out from the DSM 10 and routes the separateddata to a controller 24, while routing time-divisional multiplexed datato an input terminal G of a switching circuit 23. The switching circuit23 has its output terminals H1 and H2 connected to an input terminal ofa video decoder 25 and an input terminal of an audio decoder 26,respectively.

The controller 24 reads out the information concerning an entry pointfrom data supplied from the header separation circuit 22 and causes theread-out data to be routed to and stored in an entry point storage unit33. Since the controller 24 is fed with the information concerning thecurrent read-out position from the DSM 10, the controller 24 can storethe position of the entry point in association with its contents.

In accordance with stream₋₋ id of the sector header supplied from theheader separation circuit 22, the controller 24 of the separation device21 causes an input terminal G of the switching circuit 23 to besequentially connected to output terminals H1 and H2 thereof for routingvideo data and audio data to the video decoder 25 and to the audiodecoder 26, respectively.

If there is sufficient capacity allowance in a storage circuit of thecontroller 24, the following operation is feasible. That is, prior toreproduction, the controller reads out the TOC shown in FIG. 12 forstorage in its own storage circuit. This enables the processing to beperformed without the necessity of fetching the information each timethe multiplexed stream is reproduced.

With the present decoding apparatus for the multiplexed data, thecontroller 24 controls the reproducing operation so that it selects anaudio stream by the path designated by the path designation signal asset by the user and the information on the path of the multiplexedbitstream for causing audio data matched to the video data to be decodedby the audio decoder 26.

If, with the above-described decoding apparatus for multiplexed data,the audio signals AU1, AU2 and AU3 is the general speech, the speech foradults and the speech for children, respectively, the audio signal AU1or AU3 can be decoded by designation by the path designation signal forthe reproducing pattern path 0 for general video signals, while any ofthe audio signals AU1 to AU3 can be decoded by designation by the pathdesignation signal for the reproducing pattern path 1 for adults. Onlythe audio signal AU3 can be decoded by the reproducing pattern path 2for children.

The data encoding method according to the present invention may beimplemented by a data encoding apparatus shown for example in FIG. 14.

The data encoding apparatus shown in FIG. 14 is configured for handlingeight routes of audio signals in the data encoding apparatus shown inFIG. 1, and includes title encoders 11A to 11H and code buffers 12A to12H configured for packetizing associated eight routes of the the data.

The controller 8 is responsive to system clocks outputted by themultiplexed system clock generating circuit 9 to interconnect inputterminals E1 to E18 of the switching circuit 6 to its output terminal Fin a pre-set period in order to take out data from the code buffers 4,5A to 5H and 12A to 12H or the entry sector generating circuit 32. Thecontroller causes the data to be time-divisionally multiplexed andoutputted to the header appendage circuit 7. The controller 8 alsocontrols the header appendage circuit 7 to append a video packet headerto video data read out from the code buffer 4. The controller alsoappends an audio packet header to audio data read out from the codebuffers 5A to 5H, while appending a title packet header to title dataread out from the code buffers 12A to 12H. In addition, the controller 8receives an entry point generating signal, generated at an I-picturegenerating timing, and controls the entry sector generating circuit 32for inserting an entry sector at a pre-set position of the bitstream. Ifthe video encoder 1 is configured for outputting an entry pointgenerating signal, the video encoder 1 outputs an entry point generatingsignal at an I-picture generating timing.

If the video encoder 1 is unable to output an entry point generatingsignal, or a pre-encoded video bitstream is multiplexed, the video entrypoint detection circuit 31 generates an entry point generating signal ata generating timing of an I-picture, or detects an entry point fromvideo data supplied from the video encoder 1 to output an entry pointgenerating signal. An entry point storage unit 33 is a memory capable ofreading and writing data from the controller 8 and stores the positionof the detected entry point.

A MAP information storage device 35 stores the information entered froman external input device, and is controlled by the controller 8 so thatthe information stored therein will be read out each time theinformation constitutes an entry sector and subsequently stored in theentry sector. If the information is such information as uses theposition of a future entry sector, the position of the entry sector isread out from the entry point storage device 33 and supplied to the DSM10 for recording therein.

In the data encoding apparatus, shown in FIG. 14, there is arrayed atthe leading end of a pack a header Pack₋₋ Header made up of Pack₋₋Start₋₋ Code, SCR and MUX₋₋ Rate, followed by Video₋₋ Packet Header andvideo data, not containing an I-picture in a sector configuration, inthis order. Next to the video data is arrayed Entry₋₋ Packet, followedby Video₋₋ Packet₋₋ Header and video data containing the I-picture in asector configuration, in this order. Directly before video datacontaining the I-picture (entry point), that is directly before Video₋₋Packet₋₋ Header, is arrayed Entry Packet. In the present embodiment,Audio₋₋ Packet₋₋ Header is arrayed next to video data and audio data ofa sector structure is arrayed next to Audio₋₋ Packet₋₋ Header.

The entry sector Entry₋₋ Packet is of a format shown in FIG. 3. At aleading end of the entry sector shown in FIG. 3 is arrayed Pack Headermade up of Pack₋₋ Start₋₋ code, SCR and MUX₋₋ Rate, followed byProgram₋₋ Stream₋₋ Directory and Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map in this order.In the present embodiment, there is arrayed a packet other than a videopacket, followed by video data inclusive of an I-picture. In the presentembodiment, since the information appears from the leading end of thesector in a pre-set sequence, the information can be handled easily. Inthis case, Audio₋₋ Packet Header is arrayed next to video data, followedby a sector structure of audio data. Next to the audio data is arrayed atitle Packet₋₋ Header, followed by a sector structure of title data.

The above Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Directory is of a structure defined by theMPEG2 system standard and is used for indicating the accessible positionin a stream.

In Program₋₋ Stream₋₋ Map is defined global descriptor() in which isdefined path₋₋ descriptor () shown in FIG. 16.

The descriptor path₋₋ descriptor () defines each path and has a syntaxshown in FIG. 16. As shown therein, the descriptor describes pathnumbers path₋₋ number, track numbers track₋₋ number, sector numbers pX₋₋sectors₋₋ to₋₋ read, pX₋₋ sectors₋₋ from₋₋ start, sector offsets pX₋₋offset₋₋ next₋₋ section . . . pX₋₋ offset₋₋ start track, track timecodes pX₋₋ track₋₋ tc₋₋ hours₋₋ 1 . . . pX₋₋ track₋₋ tc frames₋₋ 2, passtime codes pX₋₋ path₋₋ tc₋₋ hours₋₋ 1 . . . pX₋₋ path₋₋ tc frames₋₋ 2.

The path number path₋₋ number is a 3-bit value according path numbersreferred to by the descriptor.

The track number track₋₋ number is a 16-bit value equal to the currenttrack number. It is an encoded value of a relative track number towardsthe program start position. The track numbers of the segments are usedin common by a path or plural paths. The track number is incrementedthrough paths. The absolute track number on the disc can be known byadding the track number offset provided by program₋₋ linkage in disc₋₋toc() to the relative track number.

The sector number pX₋₋ sectors₋₋ to₋₋ read is an integer without a signfor according the remaining number of sectors necessary until readingthe program section of the path number X. If this value is N, N sectorsinclusive of the current section are left until reading as far as theend of the section of the path.

The sector number pX₋₋ sectors₋₋ from₋₋ start is an integer without asign which accords the number of sectors from the current sector of thepath number X until the start position of the current section. If thevalue is 0, the current sector is the first sector of the section. Ifthis value is N, there are N sectors, exclusive of the current sector,from the start position of the current section as far as the currentsector.

The offset pX₋₋ offset₋₋ next₋₋ section is a sector offset from thecurrent sector of the path of the path number as far as the entry sectorof the start position of the next section. This offset is positive ornegative and encoded in 2's complement form. If this value is 0, thereis no section to be reproduced next to the section to which belongs thecurrent sector, that is, the program has come to a close.

The offset pX₋₋ offset₋₋ previous₋₋ section is a sector offset from thecurrent entry sector of the path of the path number X as far as the lastentry sector of the previous section. This offset is positive ornegative and encoded in 2's complement form. If this value is 0, thereis no section to be reproduced before the section to which belongs thecurrent sector, that is, the program has now started.

If the sector numbers (pX₋₋ sectors₋₋ to₋₋ read and pX₋₋ sectors from₋₋start) and the above offsets (pX₋₋ offset₋₋ next₋₋ section and pX₋₋offset₋₋ previous₋₋ section) are all zero, the path of the path number Xis not used, or the entry sector is not a part of the path of the pathnumber X.

The offset pX₋₋ offset₋₋ next₋₋ track is a sector offset from thecurrent sector of the path of the path number X as far as the entrysector of the start position of the next current track. This offset ispositive or negative and encoded in 2's complement form. If this valueis 0, there is no next track on the path.

The offset pX₋₋ offset₋₋ start₋₋ track is a sector offset from thecurrent sector of the path of the path number X as far as the entrysector of the start position of the current track. This offset ispositive or negative and encoded in 2's complement form. If the currententry sector is the leading end of a track, this offset pX₋₋ offset₋₋start₋₋ track is an offset to the start position of the previous track.If this value is 0, there is no previous track on the pass.

The above is the manner of describing the path number of the sectioncontaining the current entry sector in the PSM in the entry sector.

The operation of an embodiment of a data encoding apparatus shown inFIG. 14 is now explained. The controller 8 receives an entry pointgenerating signal from the video encoder 1 or from the video entry pointdetection circuit 31 and causes an entry sector to be inserted directlybefore the video entry point. That is, on reception of the entry pointgenerating signal, the controller 8 causes an entry packet to begenerated in the entry sector generating circuit 32. The controller 8then sets a movable contact of the switching circuit 6 to the inputterminal E18 to cause the packet to be routed to the header appendagecircuit 7 for multiplexing with video data from the code buffers 4, 5Ato 5H and 12A to 12H, audio data of the respective channels and titledata of the respective channels.

The respective elementary streams of the above video data and the audiodata of the respective channels are recorded in such a manner that thetypes of the elementary streams are defined by stream₋₋ type inProgram₋₋ Stream Map and also in such a manner that a flag specifying areproducing channel of audio data matched to the reproducing pattern orpath of the video data is supplied by dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() ordvd₋₋ lpcm₋₋ descriptor().

Referring now to FIG. 17, a data decoding apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention is explained. The data decodingapparatus shown in FIG. 17 is configured for decoding data reproducedfrom the DSM 10 having recorded thereon data encoded by the encodingapparatus shown in FIG. 14, and is similar to a data decoding apparatusexcept having further a title decoder 27.

In the present data decoding apparatus, the header separation circuit 22of the separation device 21 separates the pack header, sector header andthe entry sector from data read out from the DSM 10 and routes theseparated data to the controller 24, while routing time-divisionallymultiplexed data to the input terminal G of the switching circuit 23.The switching circuit 23 has its output terminals H1, H2 and H3connected to input terminals of the video decoder 25, audio decoder 26and the title decoder 27.

The controller 24 reads out the information concerning an entry point(entry sector information) from data supplied from the header separationcircuit 22 and causes the read-out data to be routed to and stored in anentry point storage unit 41. Since the controller 24 is fed with theinformation concerning the current read-out position from the DSM 10,the controller 24 can store the position of the entry point inassociation with its contents.

In accordance with stream₋₋ id of the sector header supplied from theheader separation circuit 22, the controller 24 of the separation device21 causes the input terminal G of the switching circuit 23 to besequentially connected to output terminals H1 to H3 thereof for routingvideo data and audio data to the video decoder 25 and to the audiodecoder 26, respectively.

If there is sufficient capacity allowance in a storage circuit of thecontroller 24, the following operation is feasible. That is, prior toreproduction, the controller reads out the TOC for storage in its ownstorage circuit. This enables the processing to be performed without thenecessity of fetching the information each time the multiplexed streamis reproduced.

In the present multiplexed data decoding apparatus, the controller 24controls the reproducing operation so that it selects an audio streamand the title data by the path designated by the path designation signalas set by the user and the information on the path of the multiplexedbitstream for causing audio data matched to the video data and the titledata to be decoded by the audio decoder 26 and by the title decoder 27,respectively.

With the above-described structure of the multiplexed data decodingapparatus, it is assumed that, among the eight routes of the audiosignals AU1 to AU8, the audio signal AU1 is general English speech, theaudio signal AU2 is general French speech, the audio signal AU3 isgeneral Japanese speech, the audio signal AU4 is English speech foradults, the audio signal AU5 is French speech for adults, the audiosignal AU6 is Japanese speech for adults, the audio signal AU7 isEnglish speech for children, the audio signal AU8 is French speech forchildren, and the audio signal AU9 is Japanese speech for children. Itis also assumed that, among the eight routes of the title signals CH1 toCH8, the title signal CH1 is general English title, the title signal CH2is general French title, the title signal CH3 is general Japanese title,the title signal CH4 is English title for adults, the title signal CH5is French title for adults, the title signal CH6 is Japanese title foradults, the title signal CH7 is English title for children, the titlesignal CH8 is French title for children, and the title signal CH9 isJapanese title for children.

With the reproducing pattern path 0 for general video signals, the audiosignals AU1 to AU3 or AU7 and AU8 of the eight routes of the audiosignal AU1 to AU8 can be decoded by designation with the pathdesignation signal. With the reproducing pattern path 1 for adults, anyof the eight routes of audio signals AU1 to AU8 can be decoded bydesignation by the path designation signals.

With the reproducing pattern path 1 for adults, any of the eight titlesignals CH1 to CH8 can be decoded, whereas, with the reproducing patternpath 2 for children, the title signals CH7 and CH8 may be decoded.

The on/off of audio data and title data in each reproducing pattern isdesignated by a 1-bit flag path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ N which is set to 1 or0 if the audio stream is to be reproduced by the path number N orotherwise, respectively.

The attributes of the audio data recorded as general speech are suchthat, in dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM, path₋₋ number flag₋₋ 0and path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ 2 are set to 1, while path₋₋ number flag₋₋ 1is set to 0.

The attributes of the title data recorded as general speech are suchthat, in dvd₋₋ subtitle₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM, path number₋₋ flag₋₋0 and path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ 2 are set to 1, while path number₋₋ flag₋₋1 is set to 0.

The attributes of the audio data recorded as general speech for adultsare such that, in dvd₋₋ subtitle₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM, path₋₋number₋₋ flag₋₋ 0, path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ 1, and path₋₋ number flag₋₋ 2are set to 1.

The attributes of the title data recorded as general speech for adultsare such that, in dvd₋₋ subtitle₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM, path₋₋number₋₋ flag₋₋ 0, path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ 1, and path₋₋ number₋₋ flag ₋₋2 are set to 1.

The attributes of the audio data recorded as speech for children aresuch that, in dvd₋₋ audio₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM, path₋₋ number₋₋flag₋₋ 2 is set to 1, while path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ 0 and path₋₋ number₋₋flag₋₋ 1 are set to 0.

The attributes of the title data recorded as speech for children aresuch that, in dvd₋₋ subtitle₋₋ descriptor() in the PSM, path₋₋ number₋₋flag₋₋ 2 is set to 1, while path₋₋ number₋₋ flag₋₋ 0 and path₋₋ number₋₋flag₋₋ 1 are set to 0.

We claim:
 1. A data recording method comprising:dividing video datarepresenting a plurality of reproducing patterns and plural channels oflanguage data into packets as units, in which at least one of thereproducing patterns is designated for adult use and at least one of theother reproducing patterns is designated for non-adult use and in whichat least one of said channels of language data is designated for adultuse and at least one of the other channels of language data isdesignated for non-adult use; and recording said video data and saidplural channels of language data on a record medium along with controlinformation containing a number of flags designating one or morereproduction channels of said language data matched to a reproducingpattern of said video data such that the language data designated foradult use and the language data designated for non-adult use areavailable for use with the video data representing the reproducingpattern designated for adult use and such that only the language datadesignated for non-adult use is available for use with the video datarepresenting the reproducing pattern designated for non-adult use. 2.The data recording method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said video dataand said plural channels of language data are multiplexed and recordedon a record medium along with the control information containing thenumber of flags designating one or more reproducing channels of saidlanguage data matched to a reproducing pattern of said video data. 3.The data recording method as claimed in claim 2 wherein speech data isrecorded on the record medium as language data.
 4. The data recordingmethod as claimed in claim 2 wherein speech data and/or title data isrecorded on the record medium as language data.
 5. The data recordingmethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein the video data and the pluralchannels of the language data are multiplexed and recorded on a recordmedium, and wherein the control information containing the number offlags designating one or more reproducing channels of the language datamatched to the reproducing pattern of video data is recorded in apre-set area on said record medium.
 6. The data recording method asclaimed in claim 5 wherein speech data is recorded on the record mediumas language data.
 7. The data recording method as claimed in claim 5wherein speech data and/or title data is recorded on the record mediumas language data.
 8. A data recording apparatus comprising:packetdividing means for dividing video data representing a plurality ofreproducing patterns and plural channels of language data into packetsas units, in which at least one of the reproducing patterns isdesignated for adult use and at least one of the other reproducingpatterns is designated for non-adult use and in which at least one ofsaid channels of language data is designated for adult use and at leastone of the other channels of language data is designated for non-adultuse; control information generating means for generating controlinformation containing a number of flags designating one or morereproducing channels of language data matched to a reproducing patternof said video data such that the language data designated for adult useand the language data designated for non-adult use are available for usewith the video data representing the reproducing pattern designated foradult use and such that only the language data designated for non-adultuse is available for use with the video data representing thereproducing pattern designated for non-adult use; and recording meansfor recording said video data and said plural channels of language dataalong with the control information generated by said control informationgenerating means.
 9. The data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 8wherein said video data and said plural channels of language data aremultiplexed and recorded on a record medium along with the controlinformation containing the number of flags designating one or morereproducing channels of said language data matched to a reproducingpattern of said video data.
 10. The data recording apparatus as claimedin claim 9 wherein speech data is recorded on the record medium aslanguage data.
 11. The data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 9wherein speech data and/or title data is recorded on the record mediumas language data.
 12. The data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 8wherein the video data and the plural channels of the language data aremultiplexed and recorded on a record medium, and wherein the controlinformation containing the number of flags designating one or morereproducing channels of the language data matched to the reproducingpattern of video data is recorded in a pre-set area on said recordmedium.
 13. The data recording apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein,speech data is recorded on the record medium as language data.
 14. Thedata recording apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein speech dataand/or title data is recorded on the record medium as language data. 15.A data record medium having recorded thereon video data representing aplurality of reproducing patterns and plural channels of language data,divided into packets as units, in which at least one of the reproducingpatterns is designated for adult use and at least one of the otherreproducing patterns is designated for non-adult use and in which atleast one of said channels of language data is designated for adult useand at least one of the other channels of language data is designatedfor non-adult use, and control information containing a number of flagsdesignating one or more reproducing channels of said language datamatched to a reproducing pattern of said video data such that thelanguage data designated for adult use and the language data designatedfor non-adult use are available for use with the video data representingthe reproducing pattern designated for adult use and such that only thelanguage data designated for non-adult use is available for use with thevideo data representing the reproducing pattern designated for non-adultuse.
 16. The data recording medium as claimed in claim 15 wherein saidvideo data and said plural channels of language data are multiplexed andrecorded thereon along with the control information containing thenumber of flags designating one or more reproducing channels of saidlanguage data matched to a reproducing pattern of said video data. 17.The data record medium as claimed in claim 16 having recorded thereonspeech data as language data.
 18. The data record medium as claimed inclaim 16 having recorded thereon speech data and/or title data aslanguage data.
 19. The data record medium as claimed in claim 15 whereinthe video data and the plural channels of the language data aremultiplexed and recorded thereon, and wherein the control informationcontaining the number of flags designating one or more reproducingchannels of the language data matched to the reproducing pattern ofvideo data is recorded in a pre-set area on said record medium.
 20. Thedata record medium as claimed in claim 19 having recorded thereon speechdata as language data.
 21. The data record medium as claimed in claim 19having recorded thereon speech data and/or title data as language data.22. A method for reproducing data from a data record medium havingrecorded thereon video data representing a plurality of reproducingpatterns and plural channels of language data, divided into packets asunits, in which at least one of the reproducing patterns is designatedfor adult use and at least one of the other reproducing patterns isdesignated for non-adult use and in which at least one of said channelsof language data is designated for adult use and at least one of theother channels of language data is designated for non-adult use, andcontrol information containing a number of flags designating one or morereproducing channels of said language data matched to a reproducingpattern of said video data, comprising:selecting a reproducing channelof the language data matched to a reproducing pattern of said video databased on the number of flags contained in said control information; andreproducing the language data matched to said reproducing pattern andsaid video data; wherein the language data designated for adult use andthe language data designated for non-adult use are available for usewith the video data representing the reproducing pattern designated foradult use and wherein only the language data designated for non-adultuse is available for use with the video data representing thereproducing pattern designated for non-adult use.
 23. The datareproducing method as claimed in claim 22 comprising:reproducing thecontrol information from a record medium having said video data and saidplural channels of language data multiplexed and recorded thereon alongwith the control information containing the number of flags designatingone or more reproducing channels of said language data matched to areproducing pattern of said video data; selecting a reproducing channelof language data matched to a reproducing pattern of said video databased on the number of flags contained in said control information; andreproducing the selected language data and the matched video data. 24.The data reproducing method as claimed in claim 23 wherein speech datais reproduced as said language data.
 25. The data reproducing method asclaimed in claim 23 wherein speech data and/or title data is reproducedas said language data.
 26. The data reproducing method as claimed inclaim 22 comprising:reproducing the control information from a recordmedium wherein the video data and the plural channels of the languagedata are multiplexed and recorded thereon, and wherein the controlinformation containing the number of flags designating one or morereproducing channels of the language data matched to a respectivereproducing pattern of video data is recorded in a pre-set area thereof;selecting a reproducing channel of language data matched to areproducing pattern of said video data based on the number of flagscontained in said control information; and reproducing the selectedlanguage data and the matched video data.
 27. The data reproducingmethod as claimed in claim 26 wherein speech data is reproduced as saidlanguage data.
 28. The data reproducing method as claimed in claim 26wherein speech data and/or title data is reproduced as said languagedata.
 29. An apparatus for reproducing video data representing aplurality of reproducing patterns and plural channels of language datafrom a record medium having recorded thereon said video data dividedinto packets as units and plural channels of language data also dividedinto packets as units, in which at least one of the reproducing patternsis designated for adult use and at least one of the other reproducingpatterns is designated for non-adult use and in which at least one ofsaid channels of language data is designated for adult use and at leastone of the other channels of language data is designated for non-adultuse, and control information containing a number of flags designatingone or more reproducing channels said language data matched to areproducing pattern of said video data, comprising:flag detection meansfor detecting the number of flags contained in said control information;and reproducing processing means for selecting a reproducing channel oflanguage data matched to a reproducing pattern of said video data basedon a detection output of said flag detection means and for reproducingthe selected video data; wherein the language data designated for adultuse and the language data designated for non-adult use are available foruse with the video data representing the reproducing pattern designatedfor adult use and wherein only the language data designated fornon-adult use is available for use with the video data representing thereproducing pattern designated for non-adult use.
 30. The datareproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said flag detectingmeans detects a flag or flags contained in said control informationreproduced from a data record medium having said video data and saidplural channels of language data multiplexed and recorded thereon alongwith the control information containing the number of flags designatingone or more reproducing channels of said language data matched to areproducing pattern of said video data.
 31. The data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein said reproducing processingmeans reproduces speech data as language data from said record medium.32. The data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein saidreproducing processing means reproduces speech data and/or title data aslanguage data from said record medium.
 33. The data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said flag detection meansdetects a flag or flags contained in said control information reproducedfrom a data record medium wherein the video data and the plural channelsof the language data are multiplexed and recorded thereon, and whereinthe control information containing the number of flags designating oneor more reproducing channels of the language data matched to arespective reproducing pattern of video data is recorded in a pre-setarea thereon.
 34. The data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 33wherein said reproducing processing means reproduces speech data aslanguage data from said record medium.
 35. The data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said reproducing processingmeans reproduces speech data and/or title data as language data fromsaid record medium.